On April 3, 2008, a solemn and dignified first-publishing ceremony of a fact-recording book entitled H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, which published jointly by the World Buddhism Publishing LLC and the World Dharma Voice, Inc., was held at the Library of the Congress of the United States. The book was also formally accepted into the collection of the Library of the Congress of the United States. Only since that time, did people in the world know that Master Wan Ko Yee, who had been broadly respected by the great masses and who had also been known as Great Dharma King Yangwo Yeshe Norbu, had been recognized by the world’s leaders, regent dharma kings, and great rinpoches of Buddhism through official documents as the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, who is the primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha of the universe. The Buddha’s name is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Since then, people began to address His Holiness the Buddha by “Namo[1] Dorje Chang Buddha III.” This is similar to the situation that Sakyamuni Buddha’s name was Prince Siddhartha Gotama before attaining Buddhahood. However, after Sakyamuni Buddha had attained Buddhahood, His title changed to “Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.” That is why we now address His Holiness the Buddha as “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.”

In particular, on December 12, 2012, the Senate Resolution No. 614 of the United States Congress officially used “His Holiness” in the name addressing Dorje Chang Buddha III (That is to say, “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.”) Since then, the title and status of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has been definitive by nature. And, as a matter of fact, “Dorje Chang Buddha III” is a name used legally in governmental and official legislative documents. Therefore, the previously used respected name and titles such as “Wan Ko Yee,” Great Master, and Great Dharma King no longer exist.

However, the news below was published before the Buddha’s title of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was publicly announced. At that time, people did not know about the true status of His Holiness the Buddha. Therefore, to respect the true history, we still kept the names used before the title of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was legitimately determined in republishing this news. However, all must clearly know that the only legitimate name of His Holiness the Buddha is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and all other names used before the legitimate determination no longer exist.

MARCH 18-24, 2000 25

The Asian Times

Two separate government entities have separately proclaimed March 8th as

Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) Day

SAN FRANCISCO – On this day, March 8, 2000, we do not know where Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) is. Although he is not in California, his outstanding accomplishments, remarkable contributions and high moral character have added luster to the State of California. Thus, the Governor of California has proclaimed March 8th as “Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) Day.” The City and County of San Francisco have also proclaimed this day in his honor. Only the most outstanding individual is able to be specially recognized by receiving two separate proclamations of this kind. These proclamations are not easily obtained. Only those with true abilities and outstanding attainments are able to receive them.

Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) is one of tremendous virtue whose talent and learning is unsurpassed in the present day world. He is a man of great knowledge who enjoys a high reputation throughout the world. Based upon his extraordinary accomplishments in the areas of Buddhism, the humanities, painting, calligraphy and ethics, the World Poets and Culture Congress, which is composed of 5,612 experts and scholars from 48 different countries and regions, selected Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) as the world’s only “Distinguished International Master.” The resolution conferring upon him this title was mailed to the People’s Republic of China and was made public in Hungary on September 15, 1994. The “Distinguished International Master” certificate was signed by the then President of the international Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch.

As stated, Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) is a man of profound learning and high morals. He has made a significant contribution to the cultural exchange between China and the United States. Based upon his overall accomplishments, the central government of the People’s Republic of China, representing the wishes of the people, built a museum in his honor. This is the only museum built by the government of the People’s Republic of China in honor of a person who is still alive. This museum has received the admiration and approval of cultural and academic institutions from all over the world. It is because he is a man of such preeminent distinction that the Governor of the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco have separately proclaimed March 8th as Master Wan Ko Yee (H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III) day.